Production Shift Manager

Ensign Laboratories; City of Monash; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Ensign Laboratories is seeking an experienced Production Shift Manager to provide operational leadership across all manufacturing on shift, reporting to Senior Manufacturing Manager. You will lead frontline teams, drive production performance, and maintain GMP and safety standards.

This role operates a 2:00 pm – 10:20 pm shift with occasional 1:00 pm starts. You will collaborate with Quality, HSE, Engineering to manage risks, resolve issues and continuously improve processes.

Qualifications

• Significant leadership experience within a complex manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading large operational teams.
• Strong working knowledge of GMP, workplace safety and operational risk management.
• Demonstrated experience delivering continuous improvement, process standardisation, systems, technology or automation initiatives.
• Strong operational judgement with the ability to make timely, practical and commercially sound decisions.
• Strong problem-solving capability, with a focus on identifying root causes and implementing sustainable solutions.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively across operational and support functions.
• Lean, Six Sigma or Operational Excellence qualifications are desirable.
• Adaptable and resilient, with the ability to respond effectively to changing priorities and operational disruption.
• Full Australian working rights are required for this full-time role.

Responsibilities

• Lead Production operations on shift to safely and efficiently deliver the production plan.
• Lead, coach and develop frontline leaders and employees, setting clear expectations for performance, accountability and behaviour.
• Ensure compliance with GMP, safety, quality, hygiene, documentation and regulatory requirements.
• Effectively manage labour, resources and operational priorities to optimise productivity, service and cost.
• Monitor key performance measures including productivity, labour utilisation, yield, waste, downtime and schedule attainment.
• Respond to operational disruptions including equipment, material, quality and labour issues, escalating significant risks appropriately.
• Address performance, attendance and conduct matters promptly and fairly.
• Drive continuous improvement by reducing waste, bottlenecks, process variation and unnecessary complexity.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes through standardisation, systems, automation and technology.
• Maintain effective communication and handovers across functions and shifts, ensuring clear ownership of outstanding actions.
• Act as the primary operational escalation point during the shift and coordinate cross-functional support when required.

Skills

Leadership

GMP knowledge

Operations management

Continuous improvement

Problem solving

Effective communication

Team development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, Manufacturing, or related

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Production Shift Manager to provide operational leadership across total manufacturing operations on shift. Reporting to the Senior Manufacturing Manager, you will be responsible for the leadership and performance of all manufacturing shift employees.

As the senior operational leader during your shift, you will be accountable for delivering safe, compliant, efficient and high-performing operations. You will lead frontline teams and leaders, drive production performance, maintain GMP and safety standards, manage workforce effectiveness and champion continuous improvement.

The role operates primarily on a 2:00 pm - 10:20 pm shift, with flexibility to commence at 1:00 pm on certain days to support operational requirements.

You will work closely with Quality, HSE, Engineering and other support functions to manage operational risks, resolve issues and continuously improve the way we operate.

Key Responsibilities

Lead Production operations on shift to safely and efficiently deliver the production plan.

Lead, coach and develop frontline leaders and employees, setting clear expectations for performance, accountability and behaviour.

Ensure compliance with GMP, safety, quality, hygiene, documentation and regulatory requirements.

Effectively manage labour, resources and operational priorities to optimise productivity, service and cost.

Monitor key performance measures including productivity, labour utilisation, yield, waste, downtime, overtime and schedule attainment.

Respond to operational disruptions including equipment, material, quality and labour issues, escalating significant risks appropriately.

Address performance, attendance and conduct matters promptly and fairly.

Drive continuous improvement by reducing waste, bottlenecks, process variation and unnecessary complexity.

Identify opportunities to improve processes through standardisation, systems, automation and technology.

Maintain effective communication and handovers across functions and shifts, ensuring clear ownership of outstanding actions.

Act as the primary operational escalation point during the shift and coordinate cross-functional support when required.

Requirements

Key Skills, Experience and Requirements

Significant leadership experience within a complex manufacturing environment, preferably in pharmaceuticals, therapeutic goods, FMCG, food or another regulated industry.

Demonstrated experience leading large operational teams and frontline leaders.

Strong working knowledge of GMP, workplace safety and operational risk management.

Demonstrated experience delivering continuous improvement, process standardisation, systems, technology or automation initiatives.

Strong operational judgement with the ability to make timely, practical and commercially sound decisions.

Strong problem-solving capability, with a focus on identifying root causes and implementing sustainable solutions.

Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively across operational and support functions.

Relevant bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Operations Management or a related discipline is desirable.

Lean, Six Sigma or Operational Excellence qualifications are desirable.

Adaptable and resilient, with the ability to respond effectively to changing priorities and operational disruption.

Full Australian working rights are required for this full-time role.